Police: Gang Linked to Mac School Thefts

Back to Books: Mac-less students Lucy Ramsdale and Paige Eversden. @Southern Times Messenger

Australian police are after an organized gang they believe is behind 80 Mac thefts from schools.

Nearly 80 Apple computers (laptops and desktops) have been ripped off from 15 schools in the state of South Australia this year, along with a number of screen projectors for a total loot count police place at about $90,000 ($100,000 AUD).

Thieves wore gloves to eliminate fingerprints and knew exactly how much time they had to get in and out — in one case only swiping half of the MacBooks available. The thefts took place at suburban schools, in one case a Christian K-12.

“At times there are individual computers taken but they’re more opportunistic thefts,” Chief-Inspector Dennis Lock told local papers. “The short time it took for the thieves to steal the computers before security arrived indicates this was a more planned, organized and coordinated attack.”

A 16-year-old was arrested last week after he was allegedly found in possession of some computers stolen from the college.

Lock said police investigations were continuing and urged anyone who had been sold a cheap computer in the past week to contact police.

Students Lucy Ramsdale and Paige Eversdenwere disappointed by the thefts because they used the computer room “two or three times a week” for study.

“A student came in on Monday looking for a computer that he’d saved work on, and it wasn’t there anymore,” school principal Felicity Hickman said.

About the author:

Nicole Martinelli is a San Francisco freelance writer who heads up Cult of Mac Magazine, our weekly publication available on iTunes. You can find her on Twitter and Google+. If you're doing something new, cool and Apple-related, email her.